I mean, I don't see any noirish characteristic in this suspense thriller masterpiece. Anyone with an explanation? Thanks.
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My Top 100 Favorite Films: http://www.imdb.com/list/ls071561044/
According to Merriam-Webster: a type of crime film featuring cynical malevolent characters in a sleazy setting and an ominous atmosphere that is conveyed by shadowy photography and foreboding background music.
However I've been most comfortable with the simple definition of an innocent bystander being woven into a world of crime. That seems to be the most consistent element in Noir films. DETOUR is the perfect example. Hope this helps.
Thank you
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My Top 100 Favorite Films: http://www.imdb.com/list/ls071561044/
The noir label has become broader over time.
Take "Laura" for instance which is considered to be noir.
It has mostly brightly lit sets. There isn't much that's gritty about it.
There were moments in "Strangers On A Train", such as the murder scene at the carnival, which felt more noir than "Laura".
And there is a noir theme where a rich, mentally twisted person can be very dangerous who is also protected because of the power of money in society.
This is one way to show the overall noir idea of a corrupt world.
Examples of this kind of wealthy / insane-perverted noir include "Sunset Boulevard", "Laura" (as I mentioned) and the neo noir classic "Chinatown".
BB ;-)
it is just in my opinion - imo - 🌈
That's interesting to know, thanks.
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My Top 100 Favorite Films: http://www.imdb.com/list/ls071561044/
to armanmarok;
Since you are checking out the discussion, I'll share a bit more about why I believe that "Strangers on a Train" is a noir film (though in some ways an unusual one).
I came across this article.
http://www.derekdubois.net/2011/03/fatal-femme-bruno-antony-as-hitchco cks.html
The article is about one of the basic ideas in noir film; that the male hero is seduced in some way by a feme fatale.
But "Laura" and "Sunset Boulevard" show how flexible this feme fatale character can be.
- In "Laura" the detective fell in love with what he believed was a dead woman!
There was almost no actual seduction on the part of Laura (SPOILERS) (once it turned out that she was alive).
- With "Sunset Boulevard" Norma Desmond is certainly sexually attracted to Joe Gillis.
But Gillis is not sexually attracted to her.
He was manipulated and dominated by Norma.
- So, the hero does not have to be attracted to his nemesis.
He just has to be controlled.
* The article I linked to asked; who was the feme fatale in "Strangers on a Train"?
And why does the feme fatale have to be a woman?
Couldn't a man fit that role?
And that is what Hitchcock did in "Strangers on a Train".
Bruno fits into the feme fatale role.
- He manipulates Guy.
And Bruno may have been sexually attracted to Guy.
But as with Norma Desmond, it doesn't matter if the hero felt the same way (and Guy wasn't sexually attracted to Bruno).
All that is needed is that the hero be manipulated.
BB ;-)
it is just in my opinion - imo - 🌈